DIY Sump -what's the proper sequence of flow?

[newby]

I am new to this hobby, and am looking at building a sump to save costs. I seen commercially available sumps online and have a rough idea of how to build one that incorportes biological filtration but need to know the proper order of events/water flow.

Tell me if this is correct:

Water flows into top of sump and is dispersed via a drip plate onto some kind of filter media (bio balls, bio bale, etc.)

From here it flows under the filtration divider and into a chamber that contains (at least in my plans) a protein skimmer.

After it is skimmed, is the water directed back into the sump, or directly into the tank?

I'd like to incorporate heaters and some activated carbon (in bags) to this process also. Where do these go?

Should the sump have 3 chambers: first one filtration, second for skimming, final for heaters and return to tank?

Any advice would be helpful. The town I live in is not large, so it's hard to go and look closely at any commercial models to duplicate.

Here's hoping this turns out to be as fun of a hobby as it looks :)

[sinasster]

Your water path is on target. But in many at the bottom of the bio-filtration (bioballs) there is another plate that elevates the balls off the bottom. Leaving a good place to stick your heater. Than you can have the water flow through a filter pad into the second chamber. Where your skimmer sits, and discharges back into the bottom of the sump, also in this chamber is where you put the carbon bag and your return pump, or bulkhead for plumbing to an external pump. So just two chambers.

EDIT:

I have noticed that in many sumps with an external pump, they use a second filter pad at the bulkhead.

[newby]

Thanks.

Two other questions come to mind.

If I support the bio-media off the bottom of the sump by about 2-3" (which is what the pictures I have seen show), how far up should the level of the water in the sump be?

Also, the filter pad you mentioned I have seen this also, but what is the purpose of it, and how fine/course should it be?

[sinasster]

You want to try and keep as much water as possible in the sump (as the more gallons your system is the better). But the correct level is a combination of your tank size, Your overflow placement (if adjustable, such as a hang on back style) and your sump size. as you will need to know how much water will flow into the sump when the return pump is off. This is something thats much easier to figure out with trial and error rather than complicated calculation. But roughly 1/4 - 1/3 of the way up.

Once you have this figured out. make a mark on the sump so you can make quick easy water top-offs and to aid in water changes.

Also you want to make sure that the water level is at least deep enough to cover all submersible pumps that you may have in your sump.


As for the filter pad, that should speek for it self. Thats the main component of any filter, Dont be fooled into thinking bio-balls filter the water... well actually they do, but only biological filtration. A filter system has three types of filtration that you will need in your filter.

1 Biological - The bioballs in this case for keeping the nitrogen cycle moving (optional in a reef as the live rock also completes this task)
2 Chemical - your carbon to help keep the water clear and clean smelling(sorry im not a carbon expert)
3 Mechanical - Filter pad to remove any solid wastes in the water such as excess food and fecies etc. Also to protect you pumps from impellor damage.

[newby]

Thanks for the help Sinasster!